I have earned endorsements from major newspapers, labor unions, business owners, elected officials, community leaders, workers, and hundreds of Portlanders. Last week, I also won the endorsement of the Multnomah County Republican Party, adding to my previously-announced endorsement by the Multnomah County Democrats.

Amanda Fritz is the only candidate for the Portland City Council to be endorsed by both the Republican and Democratic parties.

Is that surprising? What on earth could the leaders of the two main parties in Multnomah County have in common, with so much polarization at the national, state, and local levels? Why would both Democrats and Republicans endorse the same candidate for Portland City Council?

In fact, Portlanders of all parties – and none – care about spending taxpayers' money wisely, providing city services fairly and efficiently, and treating one another with respect. I will help Portlanders avoid traditional patterns of divisive political scheming pitting Eastside against Westside, business against workers, developers against neighborhoods, and City staff against the citizens they serve. As a Public Campaign Finance Fund candidate, I am in a unique position to focus on civic needs, creating a new way forward for Portland that transcends political labels.

In another nice endorsement last week, the Portland State University Daily Vanguard called me "a refreshing alternative" to "stagnant Portland politics". I am glad that my Council seat is nonpartisan, and proud that both Democrats and Republicans know that I will help Portland prosper when voters elect me to the Commissioner #1 position.

Note: According to County Elections data, Portland has approximately 377,000 registered voters - Democratic: 50.8%; Republican: 20.1%; Non-Affiliated: 24.3%; Other: 4.8%.